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Definitions

first-rate

[furst-reyt] / ˈfɜrstˈreɪt /
ADJECTIVE
of the highest quality
Synonyms
STRONGEST
excellent exceptional high-quality marvelous outstanding superb
WEAK
A number one A-1 accomplished ace bang-up banner best best quality blue-ribbon capital champion choice choicest exemplary exquisite fine finest first-class great highest quality incomparable magnificent meritorious of the first water of the highest type peerless premium prime quality select skillful splendid sterling striking super superior superlative supreme terrific tiptop top top-drawer top-flight top-notch top-of-the-line world-class
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bad expected inferior ordinary poor regular second-rate unexceptional unnoteworthy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The characters, rendered with contemporary exactness by a first-rate cast, were so recognizable that they made the mysterious events unfolding around them terrifyingly plausible.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2025

I don’t know, but Eric Bana was first-rate in the compelling “Untamed,” in which the whole park system was a stage and Rosemarie DeWitt a distraction from the scenery.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 24, 2025

This first-rate B-picture couldn’t ask for better branding.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2025

The four-part miniseries was created by Mike Makowsky, inspired by historian Candace Millard’s “Destiny of the Republic,” which was also the source for the first-rate “Murder of a President” that appeared on PBS in 2016.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 6, 2025

No reason existed to keep secret a first-rate theoretical breakthrough.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.